Honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani is fit to be released from a mental hospital and extradited to South Africa, a court was told yesterday.

The millionaire businessman is being treated for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder following the killing of his 28-year-old wife Anni in Cape Town in 2010.

But lawyers for the South African government insisted yesterday that Dewani’s state of mind had improved greatly in recent months.

They added at the opening of his extradition hearing that it would not be “oppressive” to send him to South Africa where he is wanted over Anni’s murder.

Dewani, 33, is still not deemed fit to plead but Hugo Keith QC, representing the South African authorities, said this should not stop the extradition process.

Mr Keith told Westminster magistrates court in Central London: “He will recover in time. There is no question that he won’t recover.”

The lawyer added that Dewani, who is being treated at a hospital near his home in Bristol, has begun to prepare himself for a trial in South Africa.

Mr Keith said: “There are more positive observations about how he wishes to return to fight the case against him.” He said once Dewani is in South Africa he could be re-admitted to a psychiatric unit for more treatment.

Anni’s family were in court as the five-day hearing began. Dewani was excused from attending.

His lawyers have said he would be a high suicide risk if extradited. In 2011 Home Secretary Theresa May agreed to Dewani’s extradition but he appealed successfully. In March this year judges put the process on hold because of his mental health.

Three men have been jailed for Anni’s murder. Dewani denies claims he organised the fatal shooting on the honeymoon.